If I had to pick one I'd choose Norway. The give the impression of a very solid democracy that serves its people well and, almost uniquely in the world, has managed its oil wealth and other resources well.

I'd choose Iceland: They shunned their (imaginary) debt, jailed their bankers and forced their PM to resign, then installed a democratically voted Government and rewrote their National Constitution.

P.S. What's stopping us from doing the same?

I agree about Norway, except that they value security a bit more than freedom, and there is a definite "norm" that is enforced by societal and governmental rules. This includes the fact that there is an official first name list from which children's first names must be chosen.

@Mujus
I know that they do that in Portugal too :-)

So keep debating and at some point I'll reveal my favorite =)

The nation where I want to live and the best governed nation are very different in my opinion...

This thread is specifically geared toward the latter. I'd love to live in Italy for some time, for example. :-)

Norway and Iceland are well-governed, but they are midgets. If I had to choose a big nation, it would be France. The country is well-ordered, the population is well-educated, they have a better quality of life than the Germans even though they work less, they won't take any shit from anybody, and they have the best health service in the world.

Shame about the pissing in the street though...

Did they piss on you, Octavious? They usually do that when you don't speak French.

Surprisingly enough, Zmaj, when I see someone urinating in the street my first instinct isn't to engage them in conversation. It was heartwarming in a way, though. The bit of France I was in at the time had a predominantly immigrant community and I remember thinking how wonderful it was that they had integrated so well with the indigenous culture.

Cuba :P

Australia is actually a very well run nation. From a strong economy to religious freedom, Australia is near the top of my list.

North Corea. Security and Communism, what else could one want?

America. Greatest nation on the planet. I will provide no support for this claim, nor will I entertain any arguments against it.

Pissing in the street is fundamental to any society with developed drinking culture (no paper bags and similar shit).

Singapore is pretty well-governed too.

Amazon Tribes

Yugoslavia

Currently? I don't know. Maybe Iceland.

In history? Definitely the nation of Israel pre-kings in theory, but more like the Persians or Chinese.

Germany, although I am heart warmed by the shout out to Cuba.

Vive le France!!

France is probably the best nation to live in in terms of government. Not for tourists that don't speak French.

I agree with Singapore above, was one of my first thoughts.

My sarcasm list: Iran, Venezuela

My real list: France, Singapore, Australia, maybe USA but not right now

Sweden, they have the best border security of any nation in the world.

Texas.

Singapore and possibly France

Sealand

Yes^

America, although my heart is warmed by the Texas shout-out.

America hasn't taken shit from anyone since 1775

In all seriousness, if I had to pick two countries I would say Israel and Switzerland.

Switzerland because they don't bother anyone and don't expect to be bothered, and despite being in the heart of Europe managed to stay out of both world wars, which has to be an all-time record for diplomatic and military deterrence. Every competent, qualified adult male is required to have an assault rifle in his closet, which has to be the most kickass gun policy ever. And because it's an alpine paradise with a low crime rate.

Israel, for despite being completely surrounded by endless hordes of people hell-bent on killing every Jew in the entire world, rising from the Holocaust like a phoenix and kicking asses since 1948. And a military conscription policy that makes a lot of sense to me.

Sealand has had too many coups.

I vote for Switzerland and its practically headless government that apparently is incapable of starting or joining a war. I've heard that the president of Switzerland is so unimportant that most Swiss don't even know his name - that sounds perfect to me.

SpeakerToAliens makes an excellent case for Iceland - I think that will be my runner up.